<div class="ExternalClassF311D8DB26B041319FDCC2F4C340420B"><p>​As many families and staff continue recovery efforts in our neighborhoods, homes and community, we are also slowly but surely getting back on track with the business of teaching and learning across Katy ISD campuses. As you ​​know, our students lost two weeks of instructional time as a result of Tropical Storm Harvey. However, because the Texas Education Agency (TEA) will be waiving up to 10 instructional days, there will be no need to extend the 2017-18 instructional calendar, or to modify the Thanksgiving, Christmas/winter, and spring breaks.​</p><p>Our Curriculum Department has worked diligently over the past few weeks to realign and restructure the curriculum unit plans to ensure that all state standards will be taught this school year. As such, there will be no gaps in the taught and tested curriculum. </p><p>Also, to ensure that our students receive the full benefits of the Katy ISD learning experience, we have identified means to regain lost instructional time to deliver additional support to students. This includes providing enrichment resources for our families, supplementary study opportunities for Advanced Placement (AP) students, and extending four early release days to full days of instruction. </p><p><u>Enrichment Resources for Families:<br></u>Online instructional enrichment activities developed by our Curriculum Department are available for parents or guardians to work with their child(ren) at home. These enhanced learning activities are ungraded and optional, and are available on the <a href="/dept/ci/Pages/Enrichment.aspx">Katy ISD Curriculum & Instruction website​</a>. Each core subject area will be covered for the remainder of the school year. These subjects include language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. ​</p><p><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Support for Advanced Placement (AP) Students:<br></span>Additional study opportunities will also be offered to students preparing for the May 2018 AP exams. Review sessions and resources are currently being developed and will be shared with students, and published on the website later this Fall.</p><p><u>Extending Four Early Release Days:<br></u>The 2017-2018 instructional calendar included six "early release" days that are typically designated for professional development, teacher preparation, and parent conferences. Four of the previously designated early release days (Oct. 9, 20, Feb 16, April 13) will be extended to full instructional days. This is designed to allow students more time in the classroom, as well as to serve the needs of so many of our families who are displaced by Harvey and depending, now more than ever, on the daily routine of school to bring a sense of normalcy to their child(ren)'s lives. We understand that October 9 and 20 had been set aside for parent/teacher conferences at many campuses. However, in lieu of the in-person conferences, parents are encouraged to communicate with teachers by email and/or phone. Parents should also continue to monitor their student's progress on the <a href="/pages/home-access-center.aspx">Home Access Center</a>. Friday, December 15 and Thursday, May 24 will remain "early release" days since final exams are given on those dates.</p><p>Thank you for your understanding as we move forward with these post-Harvey initiatives to recapture lost instructional time and to provide additional support to our students and families. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your school. </p></div>

<div class="ExternalClass1DBAE78160D84B2E93AD562C9579C31F"><p style="text-align:center;">​<img src="/PublishingImages/Lists/latestnews/AllItems/Ed_Found_Harvey_Cover_Photo.png" alt="Ed_Found_Harvey_Cover_Photo.png" style="margin:5px;width:603px;height:226px;vertical-align:middle;" />​<br><em style="font-family:calibri, sans-serif;font-size:12pt;"><br>​Fundraiser
for Katy ISD Families and Staff impacted by Hurricane Harvey</em><br></p><p style="text-align:center;"><em></em></p><p>In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, 15,007 students and 2,600 employees of Katy ISD are recovering from direct impact of the storm. Despite the destruction, the Katy community has proven to be "Katy Strong" in providing support to those in need. In keeping with that theme, the Katy ISD Education Foundation is launching an initiative that will provide support for Katy ISD families and staff adversely impacted by flooding in their homes as a result of Hurricane Harvey. The Foundation will collect donations from the community, while Katy ISD campuses will identify students and staff in need of support. This initiative was set in motion by the Foundation Board of Directors in response to numerous requests from our community.<br></p><p>"The Katy ISD Education Foundation has an unprecedented opportunity to bolster our community during this devastating time," says Tara Wilson, Katy ISD Education Foundation Board President. "With a tremendous amount of work ahead of us, this small but mighty initiative will provide the necessary support to Katy ISD staff and families that need to not only rebuild homes, but rebuild lives." Any donation amount is welcome and donors will receive a tax receipt when the gift is processed. </p><p>With sixteen campuses affected by floodwaters, including Creech Elementary re-locating students for the remainder of the year, Katy ISD faces a significant road to recovery. "While the district is in a strong position to support facility recovery, and will do so, we are grateful for our community's support for the thousands of Katy ISD staff members and their families whose lives have been profoundly impacted by Hurricane Harvey," says Dr. Lance Hindt, Katy ISD Superintendent. "We have already seen incredible acts of compassion all over Katy from hundreds of volunteers serving four thousand evacuees in three Katy ISD schools used as shelters to our staff working tirelessly to return facilities to working order."</p><p>The Education Foundation's mission is to provide extraordinary classroom experiences to students and teachers in our district. In this case, the extraordinary will, in fact, be the ordinary, everyday items that will return home-lives to normalcy. To give, visit <a href="http://tinyurl.com/pledgecentskatyisdfamilies">http://tinyurl.com/pledgecentskatyisdfamilies</a></p></div>

<div class="ExternalClass25ED211DF5E94DB995BDB48C50C8CA4C"><p><span style="text-align:justify;">Sixteen Katy ISD schools were impacted by flooding that took place last week in the surrounding neighborhoods.</span><span style="text-align:justify;"> </span><span style="text-align:justify;">Two district campuses, Creech Elementary and Beck Junior High, saw more extensive damage than other campuses. While Bear Creek Elementary sustained minor water intrusion.</span><span style="text-align:justify;"> </span><span style="text-align:justify;">The damages and repairs include:</span><br></p><ul><li><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Creech Elementary</span>: Operations crews have begun the building assessment, which includes air quality/mold testing and a number of other safety reviews. Conditions near and around the campus have prevented our crews from fully assessing the building. Katy ISD is working on a plan to relocate students and staff and will notify families of the alternate campus site by the end of the day on Wednesday, September 6.</li><li><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Beck Junior High</span>: The campus is being assessed by operations crews and is being evaluated and remediated for damage due to water intrusion through the building's roof, skylights and a construction site within the building. Mechanical and electrical systems, as well as air quality and mold testing, are being conducted throughout the building. These tests will determine if the school is ready to reopen on Monday, September 11.</li><li><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Bear Creek Elementary</span>: The campus sustained minor water intrusion within the building. Operations crews are testing mechanical and electrical systems to ensure a safe return for students and staff. Evaluation and repairs to the damaged structure are expected to be completed by the end of the week, in time for the return of students on Monday, September 11.</li></ul><p>The safety of our students and staff returning to their campus is our number one priority. Your patience and understanding is greatly appreciated. Parents and staff will be updated as conditions evolve and new information is received.</p></div>

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